Codemasters has announced that F1 2016 will feature an incredible 22 player online multiplayer racing experience alongside the introduction of even more features such as the Formation Lap and manual starts.

The Formula 1 racing sim will launch this August on PS4, Xbox One and PC and the developers have promised to take gamers "deeper into the sport than ever before".

A new trailer has also been released for the game (seen above) and features plenty more in-game footage showing the action from the paddock, hospitality area, garage, pit lane, grid and the track.

"F1 2016 takes immersion to the next level by replicating the real world sport like never before with the Formation Lap appearing for the first time in the franchise allowing players to experience the height of the pre-race tension and warm their tyres in preparation for the all important start." a statement from Codemasters reads.

Codemasters had previously announced that both the Safety Car and Virtual Safety Car will feature in this year’s edition of the game and this will also be complemented by the addition of manual race starts adding to the pressure on the driver as they sit on the grid.

"They will have to engage the clutch and balance the revs as they wait for the lights to go out. Reaction times are vital to avoid a jump start by going too early or getting stuck on the grid as the anti stall engages." Codemasters say.

*** Take a look at the games first screenshots below: ***

F1 2016 Screenshots

All the pictures from Codemasters next instalment in the F1 series.

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Codemasters

Principal Games Designer, Lee Mather, said: “We strive to create a game that is as close to the actual sport as possible.

"We have listened to the feedback from our community and that has resulted in us introducing the Safety Car, Virtual Safety Car, Formation Lap, manual race starts and the host of other gameplay features that get us even closer to the real sport and add to the experience for the player.

“Increasing the multiplayer support to 22 players was extremely important to us. We want to be able to fill the whole grid with human players to create those great race moments and stories. It also provides greater support for online leagues."

Effectively this means that multiplayer will allow gamers to experience a full grid of 22 human players across the 21 circuits featured within the game.

Drivers will also be able to have manual control over their pit lane entry and braking as they the experience developers look to minimise the time they lose when pitting.

They will also need to brake in time to avoid a penalty for speeding in the pit lane, which also features in this year’s game along with the inclusion of the new five second pit stop penalty.